BRP trip planning. I could use some advice on the best route.

[Windblown]

I would make a push for the Boone/Blowing Rock area in NC as the 2nd night stop. This would make it easy to get to Deals Gap area with time and energy  left to do some exploring at the end of Day 3. Spend the night in the area and wake up and explore more on day 4, then start to work north at the end of the day. If you're taking a westward track on the way home maybe try to shoot for Marion VA or similar for a day 4 destination (depending on your route).

It really depends on how much seat time you are comfortable with in a day.

[K3VIN]

Thanks again everyone for the advise. I figured I would give a recap in case anyone is thinking about a similar trip.

We had a great time, four riders made it, we had a Moto Guzzi, Ducati Monster, DR650 and a Honda 599. Not your typical sport touring bikes but that all performed great.

I did 2100 miles in 6 days, 10 states and the longest day was 500 miles.

Day1 I started in CT and met rest of the group in Delaware, our day ended in Lexington VA. It was 500 miles mostly on 95 and 81.

Day2 was rainy we rode from Lexington to the Fontana resort (nice place to stay) on 28 near the dragon. I think that was close to 400 miles on 81 and then into the Dragon from Knoxville.

Day3 was raining again but amazing we rode that area all day including lots of time on the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.

Day4 was dry and rode the Dragon, little river road and the BRP to Asheville. Great day!

Day5 we road BRP to 226a which was amazing! After we rode 226a we had another hour or so till we hit fog and rain. From there we motored to Roanoke on the parkway and then up 81 to Harrisonburg Va

Day 6 was almost the biggest adventure of the trip for me I had 437 miles of highway to cover on a Ducati Monster in that storm that hit the east coast last Thursday. 8 and 1/2 hours of riding 3 gas stops and only off the bike once for a snickers bar and a drink. That was the only day I was thinking a bigger bike with some wind protection could be very nice.

Final notes: If you haven't ridden down in that part of the country get down there. I'm going to try and do the front royal to Roanoke part of the parkway soon. We did see a crash on the dragon but everyone was OK. It was one of the nicest BMW GS I have seen versus a big victory cruiser If ether rider reads this let me know how it turned out. I'm going to enjoy the rest of this riding season and then when the snow gets deep start planning my next trip.

Thanks again,
K3VIN

[Windblown]

Glad you had a great trip! We shared some asphalt on Wednesday. I did the 226 loop on Wed (my first time doing that loop, yep, awesome) and then proceeded up the parkway to Buena Vista before throwing in the towel and slabbing home in the rain that evening.

[K3VIN]

Very cool! That 226A was great we rode down it but should have turned around and rode back up and skipping 226 back to the parkway. What were you riding Windblown? We saw someone on a burgundy bike that was much more equip for the conditions than us. Did you see a black Monster and a Silver Guzzi?

[Windblown]

What were you riding Windblown? We saw someone on a burgundy bike that was much more equip for the conditions than us. Did you see a black Monster and a Silver Guzzi?

I was on a Black/Yellow FZ1.  Don't recall seeing a Monster & Guzzi, but I was pretty self-absorbed at the time. LOL  I took a pic or two that's in the trip report section.

[K3VIN]

Here is a photo of me riding the Dragon in the rain


And this is a shot of our whole group. We are already talking about getting back down there next year.


This is a video from later that day sorry for the full screen I wasn't sure it the forum would except the code to pop it up or size it.
http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377&intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=60cefb0a54&photo_id=5040767510

Perfect timing for my buddy's bulb to be out huh? He stayed in the lead till we found a gas station for a new bulb.

[TuffguyF4i]

Glad you had a great time.  You covered some serious mileage!  

You live in CT?  I'm in the farmington area.

The problem with that part of the country is that once you have gone you always want to go back.  I will eventually move and put those roads in my backyard.  

[K3VIN]

You got that right the roads down there have pretty much ruined all the roads up here for me now For the last couple years I had been making trips north looking for roads like Rt 17 in VT but I can't see any reason to head north in the future when I can make it to VA in one day of highway riding.

I live in Brookfield and work in Shelton, nice to see there are some riders from CT hanging out there.

My plan was to ride the highway down and take our time back. Because it rained the day we had to ride in the smokies we took most of the next day riding what we could in the rain. That was the day we lost that would have given us more time to finish the BRP and make the last day shorter and more fun. I wanted to do Gettysburg too.

Maybe next trip!